Yoga for canines is the latest American import to have taken off in London, and may eventually be exported to the rest of the world.
Animal therapist Dan Thomas is head of grooming at London's Pet Pavilion company which introduced the scheme to the UK.
He says he is amazed at the effect of the classes on the dogs taking part. Ancient Hindu practice
After a few minutes even the most unruly of participants appeared to chill out, relax and become calmer."The dogs may not have been assuming the lotus position, but their breathing really did seem to be in synch with their owners and the class instructor." "A person who does yoga classes usually ends up becoming more placid. For dogs it's just the same, even if they do occasionally require assistance to contort their bodies into the required yogic positions.
Yoga is an ancient Indian Hindu practice, dating back to 2500BC, possibly even earlier. It is a combination of relaxation, breathing techniques and exercises which combats stress, helps circulation and movement of the joints.
Latest statistics from the US suggest that 15 million Americans now include some form of yoga in their fitness routine - twice as many as five years ago.
Backers of "doga" hope that it too will quickly catch on and show a similar statistical upsurge.
India 'to build biggest Buddha'
The authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have confirmed plans to build the world's biggest statue of the Buddha.
The site will be the town of Kushinagar where Buddha died 25 centuries ago.The bronze statue is planned to be more than 150m tall.
The Kushinagar statue will be co-funded by the Uttar Pradesh government and a Japanese religious trust. The statue will depict the Maitreya Buddha, in a seated position. It will be three times higher than the 46.5m (151-foot) Statue of Liberty. Local officials say it will be the world's biggest statue and that a 17-storey temple building with huge prayer halls will be housed inside it.
Kushinagar was the place that the Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana, or final exit from earth. It seems that Indians enjoy making largest statue of Buddha but may not be much interested in following what Buddha teach.